The Sunday Mail
It is nearly a decade since the master of song Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu died, and fissures within the family seem to continue growing.
Family feuding has reached fever pitch.
In recent years, a single gig involving all the musically-inclined Chimbetus under “Dendera United” was used to celebrate the life of the late legendary icon: this year, separate commemorative shows have been lined up by different family members.
Simon’s son Suluman, or simply Sulu, has dedicated the whole of August to celebrate the life of his father who passed away on the 14th of this month nine years ago.
As Suluman set the ball rolling on August 1 in Harare, his cousin Tryson, son of the late Naison Chimbetu, has said he is arranging his own “Simon Chimbetu Commemoration Gig”.
The dendera brand that Simon and his brother Naison created has had many family members feeding from it. And this could be the cause of all the animosity.
Allan Chimbetu remains a father figure, but Sulu, Tryson and Douglas Chimbetu seem intent on staving off all attempts at reconciliation.
Accusations and counter-accusations ranging from sabotage to the use of juju have been the order of the day.
Surely, Chopper – who was the unifying force – must be turning in his grave.
Sulu acknowledges that things are not rosy.
“Life has not been smooth flowing. I have faced a number of challenges such that in some instances I have wished the old man was still alive.
“Honestly speaking, the journey has been rocky and I do need divine intervention for me to prosper,” he says somewhat mournfully.
“Personally I respect everyone regardless of what they say about me and I just wish for us to unite and form one strong front. It is sad to note that most of the things that have been used to divide me and my family actually come to me as news, I get to learn about them in the Press.”
Tryson believes things will soon get better – even though he is doing his own Simon Chimbetu commemorations.
“I am organising a commemoration gig for Mdara Simon that will feature various local artistes. This is my way for thanking him for meeting most of our needs, taking us to school and creating this brand that we enjoy today. The event will be celebrated by the whole family.
“Plans are also afoot to celebrate the lives of other fallen Chimbetu family members and we will this year be unveiling their tombstones. I will, however, be communicating my plans to my elder brother Sulu,” says Tryson.
Simon tried to keep the family united, using his money to ensure all were well taken care of.
That task has fallen on Allan’s shoulders, and he has his work cut out for him.
“There are a number of factors that have been affecting us as a family but we are looking for ways to get around them. I hope to see this family grow in peace and I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens.
“My brother’s sons (Sulu and Tryson) together with my very own son Douglas usually have problems and I hope with maturity they will find a way to solve their differences and outgrow the bickering habit,” Allan says.
Allan recently joined Prophet Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries and expresses his wish for all the Chimbetus to seek divine intervention.
“There is power in prayer. Most of the problems we face in life require Heaven’s mercy. If we as the Chimbetus’ give ourselves to Christ, we will be delivered.”
In a career spanning more than two decades, the enterprising and illustrious son of the soil Chopper produced more than 10 solo albums, giving the world hits like “Samatenga”, “One Way”, “Pane Asipo”, “Chauta”, “Zuva Raenda”, “Hoko”, “Africa Inaliya”, “Mudzimai” and “Dzandipedza Mafuta”.
Years after his death, his music continues to inspire many.
Among commemorations this year are various gigs countrywide. Initially, Sulu had planned the commemorations to coincide with his album launch, but that idea was shelved because some tracks were still to be recorded.
Born on September 23, 1955, Chopper – a liberation war hero – died in 2005 at the age of 50 and was buried in Chinhoyi. His music was driven by the need to fight social injustices.
Before venturing into full-time music, he worked at a tobacco processing company and outside music circles, he preferred being called Mr Simon Benson.
In the budding stages of his career, Chopper teamed up with his sibling Naison to form the Marxist Brothers, with whom he penned a number of great albums that include “Mwana Wedangwe”, “Boterekwa”, “Kunjere Kunjere” and “Dendera Resango”.
Part of his discography as a solo artiste includes “Karikoga”, “Nguva Yakaoma”, “Lullaby”, “Pachipamwe”, “Ndouraiwa”, “Survival”, “African Panorama” (Chapters One and Two), “Zuva Raenda”, “2000 Blend”, “Takabatana”, “Hoko” and “10 Million Pounds Reward”, which was his last offering.
